For the past 11 years, Robert Wiley has centered his art making, teaching, and investigation within the VICARTE Research Unit for Glass and Ceramics for the Arts at FCT-NOVA. His current art practice and investigation find their inception not only in the technical challenges specific to his primary material source, glass, but equally by questions into the nature of value and ways in which the cultural heritage of tomorrow is being influenced by systemic conditions in the present. Beyond his academic experience, Robert brings prior professional experience in diverse areas of the private sector, from design, fabrication, and engineering to project management and design-build management of thematic environments.
Working now at the intersection and Science and Art, Robert combines deep curiosity and extensive glass making experience to participate in projects and investigation from glass archaeometry and historical reproductions to practical applications for new materials developed within the research unit. This naturally leads to translating these developments into new ways to teach art making and creative problem solving to others. His major output is predominantly art works and exhibitions, Master’s Thesis supervision, followed by contributions to the broader field of academic glass investigation.
From Historical Murrine/Millefiori Glasses, Molded Glasses and Prunted Glasses to XXI Century Glasses Using the Same Technique, Study Days on Venetian Glass, ATTI Classe di Scienze Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali, Vol 177, 2018-2019
The Gourd-Shaped Vessel: A Portuguese Product?, Journal of Glass Studies, Volume 59, 2017
Fungal Biodeterioration of Stained-glass Windows, International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation,Volume 90, May 2014, Pages 152–160